Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Prescribed by Doctors

When you think about drug addiction, prescription medications often do not come to mind. Instead, we consider drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine to be those causing addiction. In reality, prescription drugs rehab are widely abused across the country and several different medications can cause just as bad or worse problems than any illicit street drug. 

Yes, those medications provided to a patient by a doctor to treat a medical condition are also abused by individuals looking for their next high. Thousands of people abuse prescription drugs in the U.S. every single year and the numbers only grow. It is daily easy to get prescription medications and they’re sold on the streets.

Here’s a look at commonly abused prescription pills that doctors prescribe to patients every single day.

Opioids

As you might imagine, opioid drugs top the list of most commonly abused prescription medications in the U.S. So many people fall into opioid abuse because they are so freely prescribed for pain. They’re highly addictive and create serious physical problems for users. Painkillers like oxycodone fall into the opioid category.

Barbiturates

Nembutal is one of the commonly abused medications falling into the barbiturates category. While many medications in this category produce less physical risks than others, they’re nonetheless dangerous.

Stimulants

With medications to treat ADHD becoming so easily available, the number of people abusing them has also increased.  Stimulants are abused by people of all ages but are popular with teens. Adderall and Ritalin are two of the most well-known stimulant medications being abused.

Benzodiazepines

Xanax and Valium fall into the “Benzos'' category. Thousands of people take these medications to treat anxiety disorders.  Some people who take stronger milligrams of these drugs blackout and cannot remember things they do while under the influence. Thousands more abuse them for purposes aside from treatment of a medical condition. Beating an addiction to benzos can be challenging but is possible.

Get Help for Substance Abuse and Prescription Drug Abuse

If you or someone that you love has a problem with prescription drugs such as those outlined above, you can get help in a local rehab center. Life can be brand new once again and you can be free of addiction if you take the right steps toward substance abuse recovery. It is up to you to make the move toward recovery and a life free from prescription drug abuse.